Nanometallurgy in aprotic media using the organometallic precursors (AlCp)4 and ZnCp2: Synthesis and properties of colloidal CuAl and CuZn alloys

Mirza Cokoja, Marie Katrin Schroeter, Todor Hikov, Harish Parala, Maurits W.E. Van Den Berg, Wolfgang Gruenert, Roland A. Fischer

Research output: Contribution to journalConference articlepeer-review

Abstract

Based on the clean decomposition of low valent group 13 organyls Ecp* (E = Al, Ga, In) under 3 bar H2 pressure in organic solvents to E(0) and Cp*H, a general route to M/E inter-metallic phases by co-decomposing suitable organometallic precursors was developed. Hence, co-hydrogenolysis of [CpCu(PMe3)] in mesitylene at 150°C with 2 eq [AlCp*] and 1 eq [ZnCp*2], respectively, quantitatively led to CuAl2 and CuZn alloys. The CuAl materials were characterized by the 27Al Knight shift resonance. Soluble and redispersable Cu/Al and Cu/Zn colloids of 10 (± 5) nm of length were obtained by addition of poly(2,6-dimethyl)(1,4-phenylene) oxide during hydrogenolysis of the precursors. Upon air oxidation, a selective oxidation of Al and Zn, respectively, forming core-shell structured particles was observed by UV-visible, EXAFS and XPS. The Al- and Zn-content can be freely adjusted, e.g., lowered down to 15% (Al) and 20 (Zn) atom %, without oxidizing the Cu(0) core. Both systems serve as quasi homogeneous, colloidal models of the heterogeneous Cu/ZnO/Al2O3 catalysts for industrial methanol synthesis. Preliminary data on the catalytic properties are presented. This is an abstract of a paper presented at the 231st ACS National Meeting (Atlanta, GA 3/26-30/2006).

Original languageEnglish
JournalACS National Meeting Book of Abstracts
Volume231
StatePublished - 2006
Event231th ACS National Meeting - Atlanta, GA, United States
Duration: 26 Mar 200630 Mar 2006

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